6 Cases of Breast Cancer-Associated Neoplastic Meningitis and Literature Review

Abstract Background: Neoplastic meningitis refers to malignant tumors invading the meninges and subarachnoid spaces, causing intracranial metastases similar to meningitis. Discovery of tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid is the gold standard for its diagnosis. In China, meningeal metastasis of breast cancer is a relatively rare type. Methods: The clinical characteristics, imaging data, cerebrospinal fluid cytology and treatment options of 6 patients with meningeal metastasis of breast cancer treated in our hospital were analyzed. Results: The median age of Neoplastic meningitis was 50 years old. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure of the 6 patients increased to varying degrees and tumor cells were found in the cerebrospinal fluid. Of the 6 patients, 2 received only supportive care, and the rest received chemotherapy and intrathecal injection. The shortest survival time was 1 week, and the longest survival time was over 33.2 weeks. Conclusions: Patients whose initial Karnofsky Performance Scale scores were good and who received active and regular treatment after the diagnosis of NM had long overall survival time.